On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Ridgewood Maroons (15-3) will play a neutral-site playoff match against the Montclair Mounties (10-4). This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: New Jersey High School Soccer Playoffs
Who: Ridgewood vs Montclair
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Boys Soccer Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – North Jersey Section 1 Group 4
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Game preview: Ridgewood vs Montclair

As the 2024-25 football season unfolds, Montclair and Ridgewood are two prominent teams in the New Jersey high school football landscape. Their performances and statistics provide a fascinating comparison, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and head-to-head matchup outcomes. Here’s a closer look at their rankings, records, scoring averages, and results against common opponents.

Team Overview

Montclair (24-25)

• National Ranking: 431
• State Ranking: 24
• Division Ranking: 3
• Record: 10-4 (Overall), 2-2 (League)
• Home: 6-1 | Away: 3-3 | Neutral: 1-0
• Win Percentage: .714 | League Win Percentage: .500
• Goals For (GF): 39 | Goals Against (GA): 12

Montclair has shown resilience throughout the season, boasting a solid overall record of 10-4. However, their league performance is more modest at 2-2, indicating challenges in head-to-head matchups against top league competitors. Despite these setbacks, Montclair has been strong at home with a 6-1 record, and their defense has been notably effective, with just 12 goals allowed.

Ridgewood (24-25)

• National Ranking: 365
• State Ranking: 15
• Division Ranking: 1
• Record: 15-3 (Overall), 2-0 (League)
• Home: 5-3 | Away: 9-0 | Neutral: 1-0
• Win Percentage: .833 | League Win Percentage: 1.000
• Goals For (GF): 50 | Goals Against (GA): 20

Ridgewood, with an impressive 15-3 record, has dominated both in-state and out-of-state competitions. Their 2-0 league record highlights their success within their conference, and their undefeated away record (9-0) speaks volumes about their consistency on the road. With 50 goals scored across the season, Ridgewood’s offensive power stands out, though their defensive record shows more vulnerability than Montclair’s.

Scoring Averages

Both teams have shown offensive firepower, with Ridgewood averaging 2.8 goals per game, compared to Montclair’s slightly lower 2.8 goals. However, Montclair has been more conservative defensively, averaging just 1.1 goals allowed per match, while Ridgewood’s defense gives up an average of 1.7 goals per game. This contrast in defensive strategies is a key factor in their overall performance.

Common Opponents

Both Montclair and Ridgewood faced the same two teams—Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Bergen Catholic—during the season, offering an insightful comparison.

• Montclair vs. Scotch Plains-Fanwood: Montclair lost 3-2 in a tough away matchup on September 9, 2024.
• Ridgewood vs. Scotch Plains-Fanwood: Ridgewood, however, was victorious against the same team, securing a win on October 30, 2024.
• Montclair vs. Bergen Catholic: Montclair suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Bergen Catholic on October 30, 2024.
• Ridgewood vs. Bergen Catholic: Ridgewood showed dominance, winning 3-1 on October 5, 2024.

These results highlight Ridgewood’s edge over Montclair when facing these common opponents, suggesting a stronger overall competitive edge.

Record Breakdown

• Overall: Montclair sits at 10-4, while Ridgewood boasts an impressive 15-3 record.
• League: Montclair holds a .500 league win percentage, while Ridgewood remains undefeated with a 1.000 record.
• Home: Montclair has a dominant 6-1 record at home, while Ridgewood is slightly less consistent with a 5-3 record at home.
• Away: Ridgewood shines with a perfect 9-0 away record, while Montclair struggles more on the road with a 3-3 record.
• Playoffs: Both teams have been solid in postseason play, with Montclair recording a 2-0 playoff record, and Ridgewood mirroring that success with a 2-0 postseason run.

Head-to-Head

The two teams have not yet faced each other in this season’s competition, making their potential showdown an exciting prospect. Given Ridgewood’s superior overall performance and undefeated league record, they are considered the favorites. However, Montclair’s strong defense could pose a significant challenge, particularly if they capitalize on their home-field advantage.

Conclusion

Both Montclair and Ridgewood have had successful seasons thus far, but Ridgewood’s outstanding record, particularly in away games and against common opponents, places them ahead in the rankings. Montclair, while a formidable force, will need to improve in league play and find ways to strengthen their defense if they hope to compete at Ridgewood’s level. As the season continues, their paths may cross again in what promises to be a highly anticipated matchup.